Enzyme granulates

Abstract

PCT No. PCT/EP93/02081 Sec. 371 Date Apr. 14, 1995 Sec. 102(e) Date Apr. 14, 1995 PCT Filed Aug. 5, 1993 PCT Pub. No. WO94/04665 PCT Pub. Date Mar. 3, 1994Enzyme granules which comprise in their composition, in addition to the enzyme, water-soluble and water-insoluble fillers, binders and if appropriate other granulating auxiliaries, a formate of an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal and if appropriate reducing sugars being added to them to stabilize the enzyme, are described. All the enzymes customary for detergents and cleaning purposes, in particular alkaline proteases, can be processed into the enzyme granules. A process for the preparation of these enzyme granules and their use in pulverulent detergent formulations are also described.

We claim: 
     
       1. In enzyme granules comprising at least one enzyme, a water-insoluble filler, a water-soluble filler, and a binder, the improvement comprising an effective enzyme stabilizing amount of a formate of an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal. 
     
     
       2. Enzyme granules according to claim 1, wherein said formate is calcium formate. 
     
     
       3. Enzyme granules according to claim 1, further comprising an enzyme stability enhancing amount of at least one reducing sugar. 
     
     
       4. Enzyme granules according to claim 3, wherein said reducing sugar comprises at least one reducing disaccharides. 
     
     
       5. Enzyme granules according to claim 4, wherein said reducing sugar comprises at least one sugar selected from the group consisting of lactose and maltose. 
     
     
       6. Enzyme granules according to claim 1, wherein said enzyme comprises an enzyme or a mixture of enzymes selected from the group consisting of proteases, amylases, cellulases, hemicellulases, lipases and oxidoreductases. 
     
     
       7. Enzyme granules according to claim 1, wherein said water-insoluble filler comprises a mixture of at least two water-insoluble filler ingredients selected from the group consisting of cellulose, laminar silicates, cereal flour and starch. 
     
     
       8. Enzyme granules according to claim 1, wherein said water-soluble filler comprises at least one salt selected from the group consisting of alkali metal chlorides, alkali metal acetates, and alkali metal sulfates. 
     
     
       9. Enzyme granules according to claim 1, wherein said binder comprises a mixture of polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight in the range from 200 to 10,000 and polyvinylpyrrolidone having an average molecular weight in the range from 12,000 to 3,000,000. 
     
     
       10. Enzyme granules according to claim 1, wherein said granules consist of particles having a particle size in the range from 0.2 to 1.0 mm. 
     
     
       11. A powdered detergent comprising enzyme granules according to claim 1, and at least one detergent ingredient. 
     
     
       12. A powdered detergent according to claim 11, wherein said at least one detergent ingredient is selected from the group consisting of surfactants, bleaching agents, detergent builders, detergent boosters, enzyme stabilizers, anti-redeposition agents, compatibilizing agents, complexing and chelating agents, foam regulators, optical brighteners, opacifying agents, corrosion inhibitors, anti-static agents, dyestuffs, bactericides, bleaching agents, activators and per-acid bleaching agent precursors. 
     
     
       13. In a process for preparing enzyme granules, said process comprising the steps of: forming an extrudable mixture comprising an enzyme concentrate, water, at least one water-soluble filler, at least one water-insoluble filler, and at least one binder;   extruding said extrudable mixture into particles;   rounding the extruded particles in a rounding apparatus; and   drying the rounded particles; the improvement comprising incorporating in said extrudable mixture prior to the extruding step an effective enzyme stabilizing amount of a formate of an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal.     
     
     
       14. A process according to claim 13, further comprising coating the dried particles with a protective coating. 
     
     
       15. A process according to claim 13, wherein an amount of said formate is incorporated the extrudable mixture such that the produced granules contain from 0.5 to 15% weight of said formate relative to their total solids content. 
     
     
       16. A process according to claim 13, wherein said extrudable mixture additionally comprises reducing sugars in an amount such that the produced granules contain from 0.5 to 20% by weight reducing sugars relative to their total solids content.